Besides this, sin bears about with it the remorse of conscience, which, like a cruel worm, is ever gnawing. The wretched sinner may seek amusement in various ways at the play, in the dance, at the banquet; but his conscience is ever whispering to him, "Thou art at enmity with God; if thou shouldst die, whither wilt thou go?" The remorse of conscience is, even in this life, a torment so great that some, to free themselves from it, have deliberately deprived themselves of life. Such an one was Judas, who, as we all know, went and hanged himself. It is related of another that, having murdered a child, to flee from the anguish of remorse he took monastic vows; but finding no peace, he confessed his crime to the judge, and was condemned to die.
What is a soul that lives without God? Holy Scripture tells us that it is like a stormy sea. " But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest." (Isa. lvii. 20.) I ask, if some one were taken to a musical festival, or to a ball, or to a feast, and there had to be suspended by the feet, with his head downwards, would he enjoy this amusement? Even such is that man who lives with his soul turned upside down, living in the midst of the riches of this world, but without God. He may eat, he may drink, he may dance, he may wear that rich dress, he may receive those honours, he may obtain this post, that possession; but he will never find peace. " There is no peace unto the wicked." Peace can be obtained alone from God, and God grants this peace to His friends, but not to His enemies.
S. Vincent Ferrer observes, that the riches of this world are external they enter not into the heart. "They are waters which do not enter space, where there is thirst." The sinner may wear a beautiful embroidered robe, he may have a costly diamond on his finger, he may feast according to his desire, but his poor heart will remain filled with bitterness; and therefore he will be, notwithstanding all his riches, pleasures, and amusements, ever restless; and when anything opposes his will, he will become furious and angry like a dog that is mad. When things go wrong with him who loves God, he resigns himself to the will of God, and therefore there is no need for him to quiet himself. The unhappy sinner, serves the devil serves a tyrant
